Photo: Victoria Nazarova shakestew.com
The minute we heard Shake Stew, we were instantly gripped, and it’s hard not to be drawn in by the sheer force of what they do. Formed in 2016 and led by bassist Lukas Kranzelbinder, the Austrian seven-piece have built a reputation on their hypnotic grooves, explosive improvisation and their striking lineup of two drummers, two bassists and three horns. One of Europe’s most compelling, electrifying and forward-thinking jazz outfits, they balance meticulous composition with the intuitive and free-flowing collective interplay they’ve honed on stage over the years. Now celebrating a decade together, they marked this milestone with an ambitious and adventurous double album,
TEN ONE TWO, that captures the full scope of their musical world. We’re thrilled to have them at the helm of this month’s mixtape, with a sublime selection of tracks Lukas put together, tapping into the influences that help shape their own sonic universe. Press play and enjoy!